Hamas chief in Gaza meets with some Israeli hostages: Israeli media

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) - The leader of the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, met with some Israeli hostages being held in tunnels in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported Monday.

At least one of the released hostages said Sinwar spoke with them in Hebrew, according to the Haaretz daily.

He told them they are safe with Hamas and do not need to fear.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that the story has been confirmed by the Israeli security establishment.

Sinwar is one of Israel's most wanted men, as it considers him to be behind Hamas’ Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israeli locations surrounding Gaza, which was followed by a devastating Israeli onslaught against the enclave.

A Qatari-mediated four-day humanitarian pause took effect on Friday which temporarily halted Israel’s attacks on Gaza and included the freeing by Hamas of 50 Israelis in exchange for the release by Israel of 150 Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following the cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

It has since killed at least 14,854 Palestinians, including 6,150 children and more than 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.